Stabilizer pad for earthmoving apparatus

ABSTRACT

Earthmoving equipment especially of the loader/backhoe type is provided with hydraulically operated stabilizer arms having stabilizer pads associated therewith. The pad is a reversible stabilizer pad having a flanged surface for engagement with gravel, for example, and a somewhat resilient surface for engagement with concrete, for example. In one embodiment the pad is provided with an arm accommodating notch and pivots easily so that either surface may be the engaging surface. In another embodiment the pad is supported by a yoke and is readily rotatable.

[451 July 29,1975

[ STABILIZER PAD FOR EARTl-IMOVING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 492,912 5/1953 Canada..,............................ 182/111 APPARATUS [76] Inventors: Robert A. MacKenzie, 181 Morton u stoughton, MaSS- 02072; 'y Primary Examiner-Robert R. Song L g in, 63 Chard y u h, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks Mass. 02189 [57] ABSTRACT Earthmoving equipment especially of the loader/- backhoe type is provided with hydraulically operated stabilizer arms having stabilizer pads associated there- [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 342,684

with. The pad is a reversible stabilizer pad having a flanged surface for engagement with gravel, for example, and a somewhat resilient surface for engagement 248/1333, 357; 212/145 with concrete, for example. In one embodiment the pad is provided with an arm accommodating notch 5 References Ci and pivots easily so that either surface may be the en- UNITED STATES PATENTS gaging surface. In another embodiment the pad is supported by a yoke and is readily rotatable.

Thalhammer....................

Vaughan................. 214/138 C 19 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL291975 3! 897', 079

SHEET 1 PATENTEUJuL29 I975 SHEET STABILIZER PAD FOR EARTHMOVING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a stabilizer pad for use with earthmoving apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a stabilizer pad of improved design and which is reversible so that it may be used on either concrete, for example, or a more yielding surface such as gravel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A loader/backhoe is a relatively small piece of earthmoving apparatus that has been used quite extensively in recent years. This equipment includes a backhoe that may be used for digging trenches for example. In operating the backhoe it has been found necessary to provide sidewardly extending support arms that are usually hydraulically operated. These support arms have stabilizer pads connected at their ends and these pads and arms together provide stabilization for the equipment during a digging operation.

' Typical prior art patents that show equipment of this type are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,215,282; 3,360,544; 3,635,364; and 3,534,877. One of the problems with the presently used equipment is that the stabilizer pads have to be changed sometimes too frequently dependused, there is time lost and it sometimes takes up to one hour to make the complete changeover. At other times, when there is not sufficient time to make the changeover and the flanged side is down, for example, then the contractor inserts plywood or the like between the sta bilizer pad and the asphalt. At best, this is only a temporary measure and eventually it is quite likely that the plywood will either have to be replaced or repositioned. If the flanged surface is used without the insertion of plywood then the asphalt surface is marked up or torn up.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stabilizer pad for use with earthmoving apparatus preferably of the loader/- backhoe type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer pad in accordance with the preceding object and that is reversible between at least positions. The pad is preferably provided with a resilient surface and a flanged surface opposite to the resilient surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved stabilizer pad that need not be removed from the earthmoving equipment in order to change from a gravel engaging position to an asphalt engaging position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer pad in accordance with the preceding object wherein the change from one position of operation to the other is accomplished quite readily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention, there is provided an improved stabilizer pad for earthmoving apparatus. Usually a pair of these pads are used with a typical loader/backhoe. Each pad is formed with opposed surfaces, one of the surfaces having flange means extending therefrom and the other of the surfaces having resilient means associated therewith. The pad is supported by means which permit reversal of the pad so that either of the surfaces may be the downwardly facing surface.

In one embodiment, the pad is formed of a substantially square piece of metal having metal flanges extending from one side. This pad is cut-out to fit about the end of the stabilizer arm. A pivot pin secures through the flanges and the endof the arm thus making the stabilizer pad rotatable. The other side of the pad is formed with rubber pads for engagement with asphalt or concrete, for example. The stabilizer pad of this invention may also be formed in other arrangements. One such other arrangement requires a modification of the arm of the loader so that the end of the arm is cylindrical in shape. A stabilizer pad may then be secured to this cylindrical portion of the arm and is rotatable thereabout. The pad may be secured in either of its two alternate positions by appropriate locking means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the invention will now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a typical loader/- backhoe having the stabilizer pads of this invention secured thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the stabilizer pads of FIG. I in its gravel engaging position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of the stabilizer pad of FIG. 2 in its asphalt engaging position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the stabilizer arm and stabilizer pad;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view partially cut away of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows the interconnecting pin depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the stabilizer arrangement shown in FIG. 8 with the stabilizer pad in its gravel engaging position;

FIG. 10 is still another embodiment of the invention in a side view;

FIG. 1 1 shows a front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 with the stabilizer pad reveersed;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the stabilizer pad shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a typical loader/- backhoe 10 showing the shovel mechanism 12, stabilizer arms 14 and 16, and associated stabilizer pads 18 and 20. A hydraulic piston 15 may operate each of the stabilizer arms 14 and 16 independently. When the equipment is being moved the pistons associated with each cylinder are withdrawn so that the support arms are elevated above ground level. Alternatively, when the support arms are to be used the pistons associated with each of the cylinders are extended to the position as substantially shown in FIG. 1.

The stabilizer pad 18 generally includes a flat plate 22 having triangular flanges 24 and 26 (see FIG. 1) extending from one surface. The pad is also provided with supporting ribs 28, two such ribs being provided for supporting each of the triangular flanges 24 and 26.

The plate or stabilizer pad is notched at 30 between flanges 24 and 26 so as to accommodate arm 14. Arm 14 includes a journal end 32 for accommodating pin 34. Pin 34 also fits within holes 35 and 36 of flanges 24 and 26, respectively. The pin 34 may be secured in place by means of a typical cotter pin, or the pin 34 may be threaded to accommodate a bolt. FIG. 3 shows the flanged side of the stabilizer pad.

Alternatively, in FIG. 2 there is shown the resilient side of the pad which comprises rubber stops 38, three of which are shown in FIG. 2. These stops or pads 38 may be suitably secured to plate 22 such as by being glued thereto, or may be secured in place by screws or bolts (not shown).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 the stabilizer pad 18 is readily rotatable about pin 34 and can be easily moved once the arm is lifted and rotated through 180 to change from one engaging surface to the other.

FIG. 4 shows another arrangement of the present invention. In this case there is provided a stabilizing arm 40, a yoke 42 and a stabilizer pad 44. The arm is provided with journal means 45 for accommodating pin 47. In the arrangement of FIG. 4 a cotter pin 48 is used for securing the pin 47 in place. The pin 47 also passes through yoke 42. For this purpose the yoke is provided with flanges 50 and 52 each of which has holes for accommodating pin 47.

The yoke 42 is substantially U-shaped and includes extensions 55 and 56. The ends of these extensions are provided with removeable pins 57 and 58, respectively. These pins also pass through respective flanges 59 and 60 of stabilizer pad 44. Suitable cotter pins may be used for securing the pins 57 and 58 in place.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the stabilizer pad includes flanges 62 and 63 which extends from the surface of the stabilizer pad in a similar manner to the flanges 24 and 26 discussed with reference to FIG. 1. On the underside of the stabilizer pad 44 there are provided resilient pads 65 and 66.

FIG. 5 clearly shows the yoke 42 and the stabilizer pad 18 secured between the spaced extensions of the yoke. It can be readily seen that a stabilizer pad is easily rotatable about the pins 57 and 58 so that either the resilient surface or the flanged surface is placed in its useable position. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention including a support or stabilizer arm 70, pivot mechanism 72, and stabilizer pad 74. The arm includes spaced shoulders for accommodating shaft 76 of pivot mechanism 72. The pivot mechanism 72 shown in FIG. 7 also includes orthogonally disposed shaft 77 which passes through accommodating holes in plates 79 and 80 of the stabilizer pad 74.

A stabilizer pad 74 may be in the form of a pyramid and includes one wall 82 having a resilient rubber pad 84 secured thereto. Another wall 85 has a triangular shaped flange 87 extending therefrom. Actually, two flanges 87 could be used. The connecting struts 79 and 80 connect between walls 82 and 85.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 if the arm 70 is moved to a different angle the flanges 75 simply rotate about shaft 76. By lifting the arm 70 the stabilizer pad 74 may be rotated about shaft 77 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to a position wherein the resilient pad 84 is in the horizontal or downward position.

FIGS. 8 and 9 shows still another embodiment of this invention including a support arm 90 having a cylindrical extension 92. In this embodiment the stabilizer pad 94 includes a flat plate 96 having triangular shape flanges 97 extending therefrom. The cylindrical arm 92 passes through accommodating holes in the flange 97 and a pair of pins 98, for example, may be used to secure the stabilizer pad 94 relative to the cylindrical extension 92.

The pad 94 is shown inFIG. 8 with its flanged side extending downwardly. In FIG. 9 there is shown the pin 98 passing through the flanges 97 and the extension 92 to secure the stabilizer pad in place. By removing the pins the stabilizer pad may be rotated so that the resilient pad 99 is facing downwardly. The pins 98 may then be inserted to secure the stabilizer pad relative to its stabilizing arm.

FIGS. 10-12 shows still another embodiment of the invention including a stabilizing or support arm 100 having a square shaped extension 102 having a hole passing therethrough for accommodating pin or bolt 104. As indicated in FIG. 10 the bolt 104 is secured by nut 106 threaded to its top end thereby securing the pin relative to the extension 102.

The stabilizer pad may be in a similar form to the one shown in FIGS. 1-3. The stabilizer pad 110 includes a flanged bottom 112 and a resilient top 114 as indicated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11 the stabilizer pad is shown reversed with the resilient pad 114 on the bottom. The pin or bolt 104 connects to a cross shaft 116. The pin 104 and shaft 116 may be in the form of the pivot mechanism shown in FIG. 7. The shaft 116, as indicated in FIG. 11 interconnects between flanges 118 which extend orthogonally from main plate 119 of the stabilizer 110.

As noted in FIG. 12 the stabilizer pad is cut-out at 120 so that the stabilizer pad can be rotated into its two different positions as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is noted that in FIG. 10 there is provided a second nut 107 disposed below extension 102. By providing both nuts 106 and 107 the stabilizer pad can be adjusted vertically by simply moving these nuts to different predetermined positions.

What is claimed is:

1. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer comprising a plate-like piece having alternate surfaces one of which is resilient and the other of which includes a flanged web, and means pivotally supporting said piece to an end of said arm, one of said supporting means and said piece being provided with a cut-away section, said piece being revolvable through at least relative to said support means between alternate positions wherein either said resilient surface is facing downwardly or said flanged web is engaging the ground.

2. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece has a cut-out section, said supporting means including a pin and said flanged web accomodates said pin, said cutout section permitting the revolution of said piece through at least 180.

3. The stabilizer of claim 2 wherein said piece has spaced flanges on opposite sides of said cut-out section including holes for accommodating said pin.

4. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said means supporting includes a yoke supported to said arm.

5. The stabilizer of claim 4 wherein said piece includes flanges at opposite sides, said supporting means comprising a pair of pins each said pin'coupling one leg of the yoke to one of the flanges of said piece.

6. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece is defined by a pair of walls defining said surfaces and interconnected by at least one cross wall.

7. The stabilizer of claim 6 wherein said supporting means includes a T-shaped pivot mechanism having two shafts, one coupled to said arm and the other coupled to said cross wall.

8. The stabilizer of claim 7 including a pair of cross walls parallel to each other, said other shaft fitting in holes in said cross walls, said piece being revolvable about said other shaft.

9. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece has a cut-out section and said supporting means includes a pivot mechanism having one end connected to said arm and the other end connected to said piece.

10. The stabilizer of claim 9 wherein said pivot mechanism is T-shaped with one shaft forming a bolt coupled to said arm.

11. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said flanged web extends orthogonally to said plate-like piece.

12. In combination with a stabilizer arm of earthmoving apparatus, a pad attached to the end of said arm and forming a support for supporting the earthmoving apparatus on ground surfaces of different textures, said pad having two opposite sides including a first side that has a ground engaging surface that is formed of a resilient material adapted to be deformed when in contact with a non-resilient ground surface such as asphalt and a second side having a ground engaging surface that is formed of a comparatively non-resilient material relative to the material forming said one side and having a surface contour adapted to deform and engage a ground surface such as earth when supported thereon, and hinge means rotatably interengaging said pad and the end of said arm for rotating said pad between two positions with one position in which said said first side engages said ground surface and a second position wherein the pad is displaced at least from the one position and in which said second side engages said ground surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said arm has a cylindrical portion, said pad including spaced flanges having holes for accommodating said cylindrical portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including means for securing said pad relative to said arm with either surface facing downward.

15. The combination of claim 12 including a pair of pads attached to separate arms extending from opposite sides of the earthmoving apparatus, said pads for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of the apparatus.

16. The combination of claim 12 wherein said two opposite sides are substantially parallel and comprising the majority of the area of the overall pad.

17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said surface of said pad adapted to deform the ground is defined by a flanged web which functions as a stiffener for the pad.

18. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer pad comprising a plate-like piece having a resilient surface, and means supporting said piece to an end of said arm, said piece being pivotable about said support means, the angle of rotation of said piece being through an angle of at least 180, said piece having a means defining an axis of rotation for receiving at least part of said means supporting said piece, said piece having a flanged means associated therewith, positioned for rotation about said axis, wherein said flanged means may be rotated to a downwardly facing terrain engaging position.

19. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer pad comprising a plate-like piece having a resilient surface, and means supporting said piece to an end of said arm, said piece being pivotable about said support means, the angle of rotation of said piece being through an angle on the order of 180, said piece having a means defining an axis of rotation for receiving at least part of said means supporting said piece, said piece having a flanged means associated therewith, positioned for rotation about said axis, wherein said flanged means may be rotated to a downwardly facing terrain engaging position. 

1. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer comprising a plate-like piece having alternate surfaces one of which is resilient and the other of which includes a flanged web, and means pivotally supporting said piece to an end of said arm, one of said supporting means and said piece being provided with a cut-away section, said piece being revolvable through at least 180* relative to said support means between alternate positions wherein either said resilient surface is facing downwardly or said flanged web is engaging the ground.
 2. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece has a cut-out section, said supporting means including a pin and said flanged web accomodates said pin, said cut-out section permitting the revolution of said piece through at least 180*.
 3. The stabilizer of claim 2 wherein said piece has spaced flanges on opposite sides of said cut-out section including holes for accommodating said pin.
 4. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said means supporting includes a yoke supported to said arm.
 5. The stabilizer of claim 4 wherein said piece includes flanges at opposite sides, said supporting means comprising a pair of pins each said pin coupling one leg of the yoke to one of the flanges of said piece.
 6. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece is defined by a pair of walls defining said surfaces and interconnected by at least one cross wall.
 7. The stabilizer of claim 6 wherein said supporting means includes a T-shaped pivot mechanism having two shafts, one coupled to said arm and the other coupled to said cross wall.
 8. The stabilizer of claim 7 including a pair of cross walls parallel to each other, said other shaft fitting in holes in said cross walls, said piece being revolvable about said other shaft.
 9. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said piece has a cut-out section and said supporting means includes a pivot mechanism having one end connected to said arm and the other end connected to said piece.
 10. The stabilizer of claim 9 wherein said pivot mechanism is T-shaped with one shaft forming a bolt coupled to said arm.
 11. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said flanged web extends orthogonally to said plate-like piece.
 12. In combination with a stabilizer arm of earthmoving apparatus, a pad attached to the end of said arm and forming a support for supporting the earthmoving apparatus on ground surfaces of different textures, said pad having two opposite sides including a first side that has a ground engaging surface that is formed of a resilient material adapted to be deformed when in contact with a non-resilient ground surface such as asphalt and a second side having a ground engaging surface that is formed of a comparatively non-resilient material relative to the material forming said one side and having a surface contour adapted to deform and engage a ground surface such as earth when supported thereon, and hinge means rotatably interengaging said pad and the end of said arm for rotating said pad between two positions with one position in which said said first side engages said ground surface and a second position wherein the pad is displaced at least 180* from the one position and in which said second side engages said ground surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said arm has a cylindrical portion, said pad including spaced flanges having holes for accommodating said cylindrical portion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 including means for securing said pad relative to said arm with either surface facing downward.
 15. The combination of claim 12 including a pair of pads attached to separate arms extending from opposite sides of the earthmoving apparatus, said pads for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of the apparatus.
 16. The combination of claim 12 wherein said two opposite sides are substantially parallel and comprising the majority of the area of the overall pad.
 17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said surface of said pad adapted to deform the ground is defined by a flanged web which functions as a stiffener for the pad.
 18. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer pad comprising a plate-like piece having a resilient surface, and means supporting said piece to an end of said arm, said piece being pivotable about said support means, the angle of rotation of said piece being through an angle of at least 180*, said piece having a means defining an axis of rotation for receiving at least part of said means supporting said piece, said piece having a flanged means associated therewith, positioned for rotation about said axis, wherein said flanged means may be rotated to a downwardly facing terrain engaging position.
 19. For an earthmoving apparatus having at least one support arm, a stabilizer pad comprising a plate-like piece having a resilient surface, and means supporting said piece to an end of said arm, said piece being pivotable about said support means, the angle of rotation of said piece being through an angle on the order of 180*, said piece having a means defining an axis of rotation for receiving at least part of said means supporting said piece, said piece having a flanged means associated therewith, positioned for rotation about said axis, wherein said flanged means may be rotated to a downwardly facing terrain engaging position. 